Magnetic photo gallery

ABSTRACT

Magnetic Photo Gallery is a multi-picture frame that adheres to any magnetic surface. This displays a collage of photographs of family, friends, landscapes or anything else, in one, compact space, eliminating the typical, cluttered look when multiple pictures are secured to a magnetic surface. The user would be able to choose and change any number of pictures in and out of Magnetic Photo Gallery, and when they are done, they can simply adhere it the magnetic surface of their choice. This would provide a convenience for anybody who enjoys displaying pictures in their household, and especially on their refrigerator, as Magnetic Photo Gallery would provide them the option of hanging multiple pictures in a new and more organized manner. With Magnetic Photo Gallery, all of the displayed pictures would be easily visible, remain securely in place, and be protected from the elements such as a regular picture frame would provide.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Provisional Patent Application No. 61/066,811. Filing Date: Feb. 22,2008.1 Confirmation No.: 2777

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION OR FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there is no means of displaying a collection of pictures on amagnetic surface, in one organized frame. The current non-expiredpatents available are for only one to four or five pictures. TheMagnetic Photo Gallery would provide the user with one large multipicture frame that would hold up to thirteen or more pictures dependingon the cut outs for display sizes chosen by, the manufacturer, and wouldadhere to any large magnetic surface.

Most people display pictures on their refrigerator, as well as variousother magnetic surfaces. This is often accomplished by utilizing amagnet or a single-picture magnetic frame. Unfortunately, if/a personwishes to display more than just one picture on their refrigerator orany other magnetic surface, they have to use another magnet and risksgiving their refrigerator door a cluttered or disorganized look. TheMagnetic Photo Gallery would reduce the clutter on the magnetic displayapparatus as disclosed by U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/066,811 to Lapesky.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Magnetic Photo Gallery is a triple layer magnetic multiple photos framethat enables the user to place multiple pictures, in one frame, on anymagnetic surface. The top and bottom layers are made of magnetic sheetmaterial (the bottom to adhere to the magnetic surface of choice and thetop magnetic sheet to adhere to the bottom magnet sheet over the clearcenter cover). The center layer is made of a clear pliable plasticsheeting to protect the user's picture (s) from the elements, such as aregular picture frame would employ.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS/PICTURES

FIG. 1: Original drawing of Magnetic Photo Gallery, when in initialdesign stage.

FIG. 2: First rough sketch done in paint program

FIG. 3: Second rough sketch done in paint program originally

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Magnetic Photo Gallery would be comprised of two (2) magneticsheets, one firm sheet on the bottom and a soft flexible (for ease ofaccess) one for the top and one clear pliable plastic sheet for thecentre layer to cover and protect the displayed material. All threesections would be of an approximate size of 16″×12″, depending on themanufactures desires regarding the over all size of the product theywish to produce. Only the top soft flexible magnetic sheet would havevarious sizes and shapes cut out to display the desired photos and otherflat items, and the bottom firm magnetic sheet would have imprints thataligned with the cut out forms on the top flexible magnetic sheet toassist with ease of placement of the desired item for display. Thenumber of cut outs in the top and imprints on the bottom sheets woulddepend on the sizes and shapes chosen by the manufacturer in accordanceto the overall size chosen for the complete frame with an allowancearound the outer frame of at least 1.5″ to 2″ for handling and anallowance of at least 1″ to 1.5″ of space between cut-outs and imprintsto provide proper securing of the displayed item.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3, the Magnetic Photo Gallery has abottom (1 a) that is made of a firm magnetic sheet that is imprintedwith matching sizes and shapes to the cut outs on the top (3 a) flexiblemagnetic sheet to provide ease of alignment, with a clear pliable andpreferably static plastic cover sheet (2 a) in between the two (2)magnetic sheets that would be in place to cover the displayed media thatwas placed on the bottom (1 a) firm imprinted magnetic sheet.

The top (3 a) flexible magnetic sheet would have cut outs for viewingthe media placed on the imprints (1 a) on the bottom firm magnetic sheetdesignating media alignment for viewing through the clear pliableplastic cover (2 a) and top (3 a) flexible magnetic sheet with cut outsthat aligned with the imprints on the bottom (1 a) firm magnetic sheet.

When putting the Magnetic Photo gallery to initial (first) use or whenchanging the media on display, place the entire unit on a flat surface.Lift or remove the top (3 a) flexible magnetic sheet that has the cutouts for displaying media and the clear pliable plastic cover (2 a).Place or change the media in the desired location on the bottom (1 a)imprinted firm magnetic sheet in an appropriate area as indicated by theimprints. When all media is in place cover with the clear pliableplastic cover (2 a) sheet, then align the top (3 a) flexible magneticsheet with the cut outs over the entire unit and place on top. Liftentire unit and place on desired magnetic surface.

1. Magnetic Photo Gallery is collage-style picture frame that secures toa refrigerator door or any other magnetic surface. Magnetic PhotoGallery would measure approximately 16″×12″, providing enough room toaccommodate up to 13 separate photos, depending on manufactures layoutand choice of frame sizes created within the overall frame dimensions.The individual pictures would be displayed in variously shaped cut-outson one large, magnetic frame. Magnetic Photo Gallery could bemanufactured in a variety of colors, shapes and layouts to accommodateuser needs and preferences. With its three-layer design, Magnetic PhotoGallery would provide a fast and easy way to exhibit multiple pictures,securely, on the front of a refrigerator door or any other magneticsurface. The bottom layer is the portion that features the magneticsecuring device that attaches to the refrigerator. The user wouldarrange the selected photos on the surface of this layer. A clear,plastic cover would then be placed over the photos, for protectivepurposes. The user would then apply the cut out top magnetic frame ontop of the clear cover and simply place the entire unit on therefrigerator, where it will magnetically adhere in a firm and securemanner. Because of Magnetic Photo Gallery's easy assembly, the user canchange the pictures as often as they would like, in a matter of minutes.